Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
This part is tough, I have lived with patience and I have forgiven wrongs or offenses, “suffering” quietly, but with joy? More “long faced, stressed out and dismal” would describe it, but joyfulness took some work. Why is joyfulness important and why would I be joyful over suffering? The Bible has commands that are contrary to normal thinking ( e.g. love your enemy). To understand why being joyful is so important, I need to give us a “heavenly perspective, by using an earthly story. As a dad of two girls and now having a son-in-law, the last thing I want is for them to suffer. However, if our society changed and our religious freedoms were taken away, whether it be the freedom to worship or the freedom not to worship, and we were forced to embrace a new belief and lifestyle, then under those circumstances I would want my family to be strong, not compromising their beliefs. Knowing full well that it would mean suffering and hardship. For the rewards of faithfulness far outweigh the short term effects of suffering. If you think on an eternal perspective. Which is exactly how God views all our events. Whether in life or death, in sickness or health, in want or in plenty, in peace or in hardship, faith transcends all earthly events. Granted this is mature faith, and it takes time and trial to develop, but it knows and believes in the promises of God. It is important to note that God is not the creator of hardship or trial, though he often gets blamed for it. I find in society that we do a good enough job of perpetuating our own trials. However He may allow it or use it to draw us closer to him, finding a comfort and hope that we would not normally have. When faith leads in one’s soul, then hope is very tangible. For faith not only seeks to trust God, but seeks to see the bigger picture acknowledging that my reason for living is not just about me. My comforts, my wants, not even about my family, but that my life takes on a greater purpose, “a fuller meaning.” We look for a greater good, one that is eternal and serve a God that is not bound or limited to this world. This then becomes the birth place of hope, which is often borne in difficulty as we are forced through hardship to reach outside ourselves to find God. And upon finding hope, we find joy. For joy is the offspring of hope and therefore we are able to be joyful in our sufferings, knowing that God uses suffering to draw me closer to Himself. And what goal can be grander than intimately knowing and walking in the love of God, nothing compares. Amen
Prayer
God help me to see you as my heavenly Father. To find that safe place in you were I am at peace in surrendering my hopes, fears and every day stresses over to you. Knowing that in your lovingkindness the best will work out. Thank you and Amen